Author: Jesline Justine
As a computer engineering graduate with a software development background, I wanted to work for a company where I would be surrounded by creative and innovative people. Even though I didn’t have any prior experience in Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), CGI was at the top of my list of companies to work for.
I’ve come a long way from knowing nothing about SCADA. Basically, it is a computer system for monitoring and operating remote Engineering Assets and Equipment such as Reservoirs, Valves, pumps and Transformers, typically for utilities that supply Water, Electricity and Gas At CGI, as a SCADA Support Engineer, my primary role is to support the CGI owned SCADA Software tool – MOSAIC. This software talks to the field devices Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) to gather the data and display it for analysis. Even though CGI primarily supports the software, for some clients we do the configuration for the RTUs and PLCs as well.
The beauty of keeping an open mind
I’m so happy that my lack of experience didn’t deter me from beginning a career at CGI in the SCADA field. Even though I had no previous experience in delivering SCADA solutions, I graduated uni with an open mind about everything.
I have always found SCADA super fascinating because you have to know about actual field devices and not just your computer. I am still learning about configuring these devices, and I’m thrilled that I get to play with other hardware toys like the RTUs and PLCs and not just tied to a laptop.
Learning to be flexible and adapting to new circumstances is key to when you are starting a career. You never know – you might find something else more fascinating than what you learned at uni. Always be open to learning and remember that quality work is appreciated everywhere and will take you to greater heights.
Life at CGI
At CGI Melbourne, we support some of the Major Utilities companies in Melbourne with their SCADA Monitoring software – MOSAIC. MOSAIC is a CGI proprietary SCADA Monitoring software.
Moving from computer engineering to SCADA engineering was the biggest challenge I’ve had to face at CGI. I thought that I wasn’t technically competent enough to take up this job that involved supporting the core business of the major utilities clients in Melbourne. However, I immediately found all my teammates to be super supportive and patient in teaching me about SCADA. This has definitely helped me boost my confidence and made me feel more technically competent.
Overall, CGI has been very supportive of my career growth. I was given my first promotion from a Graduate role to an Associate role within a year of being with the company. I also requested to take a training course (ITIL4 Foundation) and CGI was more than happy to bear all the costs for the training and get me certified.
I was drawn to CGI due to the fact that it is one of the world’s largest and most reputable IT consultancy firms. It’s also known for its great work culture, which I can attest to after being with the company for just under two years.
Excited for a new challenge in SCADA engineering Check out the latest job opportunities at CGI.
